This is robust. Not aggressive. Not rough. Not bitter in its finish. Rather, it's silky in its smoothness. But it's remarkably stout. No peaks; no valleys. No nuance. There is an ever-so-slight sourness that emerges, but never obtrudes, as the cup cools. This may be a function of natural-process coffees (Brazils?) being used or, else, of the fire-roasting process (as long, slow roasting processes can sometimes have this result). The bag-aroma is also slight, which may also be an effect of the slower roasting, but this translates to no demerit to the quaffing-quality. More kick-ya-in-the-boo-boo than Dunkin' and more bucolic than Continental wannabes, this is an American manifesto manifested in a cup. A stolid, button-down blend for the chuckwagon crowd.

$5.95/12 oz. at Marc's Supermarket

Thanks for the excellent review of this coffee. I have never heard of the 1850 coffees. A new Folgers line? Very nice.

No prob.

Hope you enjoy.

CORRECTION: The medium-roast 1850 blend is called "Pioneer Blend", not "Premium Blend".

Like Pioneer Blend, this blend is, paradoxically, at its most remarkable precisely in its unremarkability. Even-keeled and richly flavored, yet without brooding overlong on the palate, this brings to the table the same, vague sourness and the same faint bag-aroma, neither of which is of any consequence to the delightful drinking-qualities of this companionable roborant. And though it is difficult to tell without a head-to-head throwdown (and which, even then, might be beyond my skillset's current keenness), I would almost contend that Black Gold has the exact same flavor profile as Pioneer, yet roasted to a darker shade. If so, this would be a prodigious accomplishment, considering that, to achieve this end, one generally cannot simply a deeper roast-degree to the same underlying components. Rather, one must blend anew, tailoring each recipe to each targeted roast-level. Regardless, the brash confidence of brand-identity which this at-least broad consistency indicates makes the comparison notable and the 1850 even more admirable. Fill it to the rim. With 1850.

$5.95/12 oz. at Marc's Supermarket

In addition to Pioneer (Medium Roast) and Black Gold (Dark Roast), two other blends are available (though, currently, not at Marc's ):

A homemade (or (office made more accurately since did it at my desk) tea blend equal parts by volume of dry leaf of keemun, assam and yunnan black teas.

"Go and reconcile with him who has trespassed against you before he comes and apologises to you and steals your crown" - H.H. Pope Cyril VI<br><br>"O Lord I was not aware of the treasure within me that is You" - H.H. Pope Shenouda III